Step 2: Take Advantage of Existing Software and Tools

Participation in the Exchange Network can either mean that your agency is a service provider, typically publishing or submitting data, or you are acting as a client to existing service providers. Participants who will be a service provider need Node software, whereas those whose participation only means interacting with other existing service providers can use other Node Client tools. The document Nodes vs. Clients describes this distinction.

Node Software: Several high-quality open source Node Software solutions have already been developed. While developers still have the option of building their own, it is highly recommended that developers download existing implementations.

Node Client Software:If you want to install and host your own Node Client software (also known as Network Clients), some software packages come bundled with Node Client software. But there are some Node Clients already installed that you can use.

EPA Services Center: Useful when you need to act as a Node Client (i.e., to submit data) to EPA’s Node

EN Browser: Useful when you only need to retrieve data from another node.

Step 3: Building Your Solution

If you are implementing an existing Data Exchange, review that particular Exchange’s page.